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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Work Code of Conduct - Help!

52 replies

FanFckingTastic · 11/06/2025 14:47

I work for a decent sized US-led company. As part of our annual training we have to complete a code of conduct and confirm that we are compliant. This year there is a section on gender identity that makes me feel uncomfortable.

Firstly, there is a short video describing what gender identity is, this, of course, is presented in a way that implies that everyone believes in a gender identity in the first place...

There is an information section around revealing someone's gender identity without their consent "It's important to remember that if Barbara is trans, saying that she 'used to be a man' is not accurate. Transwomen are women, and they've never not been a woman. Their gender identity just doesn't align with the sex that they were assigned at birth"

Finally there is a topic question that must be answered around toilets. "Rebecca is transgender and today is her first day in the office since her team were told of her transition. When she goes to the ladies restroom her female colleagues see her and say that they don't want to share the same toilet as a man and walk out. Is this an example of harassment or discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity?"

I'd like to keep my job... but I also feel that I should say something here. Any tips for addressing? Has anyone else seen this and how have you handled it?

OP posts:
FanFckingTastic · 10/12/2025 12:25

TakingMyChancesWithTheRabbits · 10/12/2025 05:57

@FanFckingTastic what did you end up doing in the end?

I'd love to say that I refused to sign the code of conduct and made a formal complaint but ultimately I felt that this was too risky.

Instead I signed the code of conduct... and then spoke to my local HR team (just informally) and mentioned that I had concerns around the legal compliance of some of the areas within the code of conduct, and would just hate for the company to be open to costly litigation etc. (particularly in light of the cases that were active) I mentioned that we all have to act with integrity at work and in the best interests of our company so felt that I had to flag the errors.

HR said thank you, and that they would review. I haven't heard anything since.

I'm presuming that I will have to sign a code of conduct again next year so will be interested to see what's included this time!

OP posts:
Talkinpeace · 10/12/2025 12:33

Remind HR that if their Equality and Diversity Policies do not reflect this best practice
https://www.acas.org.uk/equality-policy-template
and the Equality Act 2010 as clarified by the 16th April Supreme Court ruling
they
WILL lose employment tribunals

(yes, I know about the two Scottish cases, they are just a bump in the road)

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy template | Acas

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy template that you can adjust for your organisation.

https://www.acas.org.uk/equality-policy-template

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